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American Crime: The Quiet Lion

January 28, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Sean Morris

Staff Writer

Although you probably haven’t heard of it, ABC’s American Crime has been one of recent TV’s most compelling dramas. Like American Horror Story and True Detective before it, it follows the format of an anthology series where the premise and characters change each season (although in this show, most of the cast stays). The first season, which premiered back in March, has already gone on to numerous critical acclaims and awards- in including several Emmy Nods and a win for Regina king as best supporting actress in a miniseries or movie. Since its second season just recently premiered, I thought it was high time to talk about this extraordinary show.

While the plotline of the show changes season to season, it always centers around a crime that brings controversial and tricky topics in modern american society to the forefront. Past shows have taken on subjects like racism, rape, classism, sports culture and more in an adult and well-handled manner. Part of the finesse of the show is thanks to its thoroughly talented actors and actresses. Some notable mentions include Felicity Huffman (of who I stand by that she deserved the Emmy for her work last season), Timothy Hutton, Regina King (who deserved her Emmy), Caitlin Gerard, Lili Taylor, Richard Cabal and more.

In addition to its cast, the way the show is filmed and told doesn’t hold back on anything. I will admit it is not for the faint of heart. It’s little details like a girl’s cracked phone screen, a tv station editing someone’s quote to change the narrative, a casual line in a locker room about raping a girl, that makes the show edgy and gritty – and yet much more well written format than most shows in general will have, and is an even greater rarity amongst network channels. imply put, there is no other show quite like it on tv. That being said, ironically this show should not be confused with the other upcoming “American Crime” anthology series, which is being produced by Fox and will start with the trial of OJ Simpson.

Another fan of the show is our own Digital media teacher Douglas Herman. “I thought the show was impressive, considering it was for a network television,” he said.

I’m normally I’m not a fan of those shows because I feel like they design the show to the commercial, and that feel’s like they’re not respecting the audience, but American Crime had more of a cable series or cinematic feel to it and they did an amazing job of character development and it was expertly edited- it was beautiful, it was like really well shot and the acting in it was really intense as well.”

While the show may not be suited for those who squirm at frank depictions of crime, s, but I think the work is too good to possibly miss. The first four excellent episodes of the new season have already aired on ABC, so it’s the perfect time to get caught up.

Just the First of Many Scares?

January 28, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Allison Kelly staff writer

It was in early November of 2015 that teachers received some news in which they had been dreading since the rumors first surfaced a few weeks prior. A very vague and short email from the Superintendent of the School District of Philadelphia informed teachers of what could be their new reality, stating “At this point, we can continue to make payroll, operating without state funds, through January 29, 2016. After that date, our ability to keep schools open, issue paychecks and pay bills is uncertain.” This left teachers, students, and parents with a scary amount of uncertainty for the future.

Being that tomorrow is January 29, 2016, it seems as though some sort of accommodations have been made in order to prevent the worst case scenario, but is that the end of it? Do our beloved teachers get the chance to relax knowing their future status at their jobs are in good hands, or was this just the first of many scares for an inevitable ending? Math teacher, Erin Giorgio speaks about what this scare meant on, at the least, her behalf, but also for all teachers in the future.

When asked about her first thoughts once receiving this mass email she explains, “My first concern was obviously about whether or not I would be able to pay the bills. My next concern regarded whether or not schooling would be prioritized over everything else. Lastly, I was concerned, long term, for the public school district and its quality when qualified teachers are being lost due to the fact of them having to worry about whether or not they will be able to pay their bills.”

She then explains how this worst case scenario outcome would affect her life outside of just being a teacher. “I go on a trip to Cornell the week after school with a bunch of students so this would probably have to be cancelled, preventing a group of young kids from attending a great college visit. This will also affect teachers who work another job in the summer. Also, teachers with kids who are in daycare will be affected because this means a longer time for them there in which a cost will have to be met.”

She was then asked to elaborate on anything she thinks SLA can do specifically as a school in order to prevent this from being our teachers’ new realities and she says, “I think better communication of the facts overall is needed because there is a lot of judgement being made based off of inaccurate information.”

Overall, these teachers were rightfully worried and shaken up at the news due to how much impact this would have on their lives. But, it does look like there is some light to be shed on the situation considering tomorrow is this so called “deadline” yet there has been no further rumors of the initial plan going through, but this doesn’t mean our teachers are safe. It seems as though their futures are constantly at risk and if the only thing we, as a school, can do is to better communicate these situations then that is what we should do.

Annoyances: A Schooling Struggle

January 21, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Chuckie Copeland

Staff Writer

At school and at home, many things annoy us. Siblings, parents, people doing certain actions. All of those can be very frustrating — and what’s worse is that those perpetrating the frustration may not even know it.

At SLA, many expressed grievances over numerous topics in the school. A survey was created and sent to seniors and sophomore about annoyances in school. and here is what they said.

Many people at this school like a relaxed learning environment and to not be rushed by teachers and school personnel. The number 3 annoyance at this school was “Super Strict Rule Enforcers.” It should be pointed out that of the responses, 52% were Seniors and only 48% were Sophomores, so for whatever reason, annoying at this goes up slightly over time.

Do you know that feeling when you turn in a benchmark, and wait for it to be graded? Sometimes weeks will go by on assignments when you need the points for your grade and you might have to end up waiting until the end of the quarter to read your grade. The number 2 annoyance at this school is, “Work that is not graded.” It should be noted that some responses were directed towards specific teachers whom students said were notorious for ungraded work. The frustration evident is astonishingly clear, although it varied widely by grade level: only 32% Seniors are disturbed by ungraded work, compared to 68% of Sophomore respondents.

Before we reach the number one annoyance at SLA, there are shout out annoyances that were not as popular, but still quite frustrating.

Senior Taylor Washington described the feeling when getting “Busy work” quite succinctly. “When getting busy work in a class during your senior year, is actually the most annoying because we have so much work to do as it is to get into college.” Many other seniors were behind that sentiment.

One last notable annoyance was people who are very loquacious. Though it did not garner as many responses as other “more popular” annoyances, it actually had the most quotables stories.

SLA senior Nagee Graves was quite fed up with distractions, “In my classes, there’s always kids not doing their work and it’s so distracting… I don’t want hear you ALL THE WAY ACROSS THE ROOM. Literally it’s so annoying.” A quete fiery response to the kids who distract learners in class.

Now it’s time to unveil the most predictable, yet most frustrating thing at SLA. With almost three quarters of respondents stating this as their number one or two most annoying thing at SLA, “group members who do not do their work” took the top spot for the number one most annoying thing at SLA.

It is easy to tell why that would be the case, many teachers during project time, get students come up to them and state that one group member is not contributing. It’s also a constant theme, certain students do not wish to work as hard as others and hold other group members back.

However, it should also be noted that there was quite a notable disparity between grade responses. Only 40% of Seniors recorded this as an answer while 60% of Sophomores did the same. In the four years time of being in high school, it seems to have taken a great effect on seniors deal with these types of disturbances.

There’s one clear trend in this survey: sophomores are more annoyed than seniors. They found grievances in everything. Why this difference? For whatever reason, seniors are more relaxed about the annoyances at SLA. So sophomores, just wait it out and that disorganized group member will bug you less in a couple years.

First Podcast For The Sports and Statistics Analysis Club

January 16, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Aaron Watson-Sharer

Staff Writer

Hey Rocket Nation,

The Sports and Statistics Analysis Club is a club that analyzes and talks sports which holds its meetings every other Tuesday including this Tuesday January 19th. Led by juniors Aaron Watson-Sharer, Jared Bauer and Jason Greene are three people who are looking for new members to join us either X or Y band this Tuesday.

One critical activity performed by this club is our own podcast The Honest Breakdown. This podcast reviews many sports topics going on today and we would love for everyone to listen and enjoy!

The link is right here to The Honest Breakdown.

Sophomores Get A Dance… With Freshmen?

January 12, 2016 by lpahomov Leave a Comment

Meymey Seng

Staff Writer

Do you want to dance? Typically when you think of a dance, the idea of a senior prom will jump into your mind. Dances are a great experience but so rare at SLA. Aside from the occasional themed dances scattered throughout the year totaling around four, there is only the junior and senior prom. The few scattered dances are open to all students, while the junior and senior prom is only for those entitled. So why not let sophomores get their time to shine? With the effort from the sophomores and teachers, there will be a dance called “Soph Hop”. This would bring the tenth grade class together to have their first big dance! Even though it’s originally for sophomores, freshmen are now invited. This fact may play a huge factor on whether the sophomores will want to attend.

In SLA, there has never been a Soph Hop, but that will soon change. With the support from the staff and students, the Soph Hop will finally happen! It will take place on Friday, February 26th. The location is at “Popi’s Italian Restaurant” from 7 pm to 10 pm. The tickets will be on sale after the winter break, for $36. A tradition of having a Soph Hop might happen because the sophomores usually ask for it, but freshmen are also invited. Most freshman that I asked said that they will not go because of the fact that the dance is for sophomores. They would want to have their own sophomore dance with their own graduating class. “I have decided not to go out of respect to the sophomores,” ninth grader Majd Bostani said.

When some sophomores were asked for their opinions about having a Soph Hop, they all had a general agreement on one thing. The agreement is that having a Soph Hop is a good idea and that they are looking forward to going to the dance. Some think that it is also a good idea, but the fact that freshmen are invited, is not so spectacular.

“I feel like the idea for freshmen to be invited to the soph-hop is stupid because we have a JUNIOR and SENIOR prom. A Soph Hop is for SOPHOMORES, the regular dances are for the freshmen, and if the freshmen feel that they need an event just for themselves, that are just for the FRESHMEN, then they can set it up,” eleventh grader Darius Purnell said. “However, that is pointless because freshmen are new to the school and the high school environment in general. Before they can gather a committee and a big enough group willing to put in the effort, it will be the first quarter of their sophomore year.”

One of the SLA staff members, Ms. Martin, is a big supporter of the Soph Hop. When asked about her opinions of the Soph Hop, she said “If this is something that the students want, we’ll try to get it for them. If it works, I’m fine with that. I’m rather indifferent. If it doesn’t work, I’m fine with that, as long as the students get an opportunity to try it out.”
Even though the sophomores and freshmen do not know what to expect from this Soph Hop, it sounds like they are looking forward to this. Hopefully, freshmen being invited will not negatively affect whether the sophomores are going. If all goes well, there may be a Soph Hop next year!